Finding the Right Debt Counselor

Typically, a counseling service will negotiate lower payments with your creditors, then make the payments using money you send to it each month. The cost of setting up this debt-management plan is paid by the creditor, not you. Ask these questions to find the best counselor for you:

• What services do you offer? Look for an organization that offers budget counseling and money management classes as well as a debt-management plan.
• Do you offer free information? Avoid organizations that charge for information or make you provide a lot of details about your problem first.
• What are your fees? Are there set-up and/or monthly fees? A typical set-up fee is $10. If you're paying a lot more, you could be the one getting set up.
• How will the debt management plan work? What debts can be included in the plan and will you get regular reports on your accounts?
• Ask whether the counselor can get creditors to lower or eliminate interest and fees. If the answer is yes, contact your creditors to verify this.
• Ask what happens if you can't afford to pay. If an organization won't help you because you can't afford to pay, go somewhere else for help.
• Will your counselor help you avoid future problems? Getting a plan for avoiding future debt is as important as solving the immediate debt problem.
• Ask for a contract. All verbal promises should be in writing before you pay any money.
• Are your counselors accredited or certified? Legitimate credit counseling firms are affiliated with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling or the Association of Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies.

• Debt Help with Credit Card Debt
• Debt Consolidation or Debt Relief
• Need Debt Help? Resources and information to help you
• Consumer Alerts about Debt
• Dealing with Debt Collectors
• Credit Repair Scams
• Having Trouble Paying Your Bills?
• Credit Counseling and Debt Management
• Bankruptcy
• Debt Negotiation Programs
• Debt Relief Deals - True or Not?
• FTC Returns $1.6 Million to Consumers Scammed by Bogus Debt Collector
• Signs You Might Need Debt Relief
• Debt Consolidation will rescue you from your debt problems
• The Advantage and Disadvantage of Debt Solution
• Ways to Cope Financially During and After a Big Change in Life
• Avoiding Debt Relief Scams through Common Sense
• Common Problems That Could Prevent A Debt Settlement Agreement
• Credit Card Consolidation or Debt Payment Business- What should be your pick?
• Finding the Right Debt Counselor
• Dealing with Debt

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